AVIATE Acronym
| Letter | Inspection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| A | Annual inspection | 12 months |
| V | VOR check | 30 days |
| 1 | 100 hour or progressive inspection | Every 100 hours or annually if used for hire |
| A | Altimeter and static air system check | 24 months |
| T | Transponder check | 24 months |
| E | Emergency locator transmitter check | 12 months, or after 1/2 battery lifetime or after 1 hour of continuous use |
AVIATE In More Detail
As a pilot, you know that safety is always the top priority. And one of the best ways to ensure the safety of your flights is to make sure your aircraft is in good condition. That’s where AVIATE comes in.
AVIATE is an acronym that stands for the different types of inspections that general aviation aircraft in the US must have current in order to be legally operated. Knowing these inspections and their schedules is essential for keeping your aircraft airworthy and avoiding violations. Here’s what each letter of AVIATE stands for:
A – Annual inspection: This is a general check of the entire airplane to ensure that it is airworthy and that any relevant and required Airworthiness Directives (ADs) have been properly applied. It must be performed once per year.
V – VOR check: For Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights, the VOR receivers on board must have been tested within the past 30 days. This test can be done by the pilot either in flight or at a designated VOR test facility on an airport.
1 or I – 100-hour inspection: If the aircraft is operated for hire or flight instruction for hire, it must have had an annual or a 100-hour inspection within the previous 100 hours of flight time.
A – Inspections for Altimeter and static air system: In order to fly IFR, the static pressure system, altimeter instrument, and automatic pressure altitude reporting system must be tested and inspected and found to comply. This must be done every 24 calendar months.
T – Transponder inspection: No person may use an Air Traffic Control transponder unless it has been tested and inspected within the preceding 24 months. This applies to nearly all general aviation pilots in the US, even flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
E – ELT inspection: The Emergency Locator Transmitter must be maintained, tested, and inspected on schedule. This is done every 12 months, or after 1/2 the listed battery lifetime, or after 1 hour of continuous use.
As you can see, knowing the AVIATE acronym and its corresponding inspections is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of your aircraft. These inspections ensure that all systems are functioning properly, making your flights safer and more enjoyable.
So, the next time you’re prepping for a flight, remember AVIATE or AV1ATE and make sure your aircraft is up to par. Stay safe up there!
Thanks for reading!
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